1 Kings 20:25

KJV

And number thee an army, like the army that thou hast lost, horse for horse, and chariot for chariot: and we will fight against them in the plain, [and] surely we shall be stronger than they. And he hearkened unto their voice, and did so.

KJV (with Strong's)

And number {H4487} thee an army {H2428}, like the army {H2428} that thou hast lost {H5307}, horse {H5483} for horse {H5483}, and chariot {H7393} for chariot {H7393}: and we will fight {H3898} against {H854} them in the plain {H4334}, and surely we shall be stronger {H2388} than they. And he hearkened {H8085} unto their voice {H6963}, and did so {H6213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then recruit an army as big as the army you lost, horse for horse and chariot for chariot. We will attack them on level ground, and we will certainly be stronger than they." He heeded what they said and acted accordingly.

Berean Standard Bible

And you must raise an army like the one you have lost—horse for horse and chariot for chariot—so we can fight the Israelites on the plain, where we will surely prevail.” And the king approved their plan and acted accordingly.

American Standard Version

and number thee an army, like the army that thou hast lost, horse for horse, and chariot for chariot; and we will fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they. And he hearkened unto their voice, and did so.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Following a humiliating defeat by Israel, King Ben-hadad's advisors propose a new strategy: rebuild their vast army, ensuring full strength in cavalry and chariots, and engage Israel on the flat "plain." They reasoned that Israel's God was a "God of the hills" and that a change in terrain would guarantee Syrian superiority and victory. Ben-hadad, embracing this flawed human logic over acknowledging divine intervention, readily accepted their counsel and prepared for a second confrontation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the first miraculous victory of Israel over the numerically superior Syrian army (1 Kings 20:1-21). Despite their overwhelming forces, the Syrians suffered a devastating defeat, prompting Ben-hadad's advisors to rationalize the loss. Their conclusion, articulated in [1 Kings 20:23](/1_kings/20-23 "1 Kings 20:23 - Syrian Misconception of God"), was that the God of Israel was a "God of the hills," implying a geographical limitation to His power. Verse 25 then details their specific military advice to counter this perceived limitation: rebuild the army to its former strength and engage Israel on the open plain, where their numerical and technological superiority (chariots) could be fully leveraged. This counsel sets the stage for the second major conflict between Israel and Syria, which unfolds from [1 Kings 20:26](/1_kings/20-26 "1 Kings 20:26 - Second Syrian Invasion") onwards, serving as a direct challenge to God's omnipresence and sovereignty.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near East was characterized by frequent conflicts between regional powers, and military might was often measured by the size of armies, particularly the number of chariots and cavalry. Syria (Aram) was a significant regional power, and its king, Ben-hadad, was accustomed to dominance. The concept of deities being associated with specific geographical areas or natural phenomena was common in polytheistic cultures. For the Syrians, attributing Israel's God to the "hills" was a logical, albeit deeply flawed, attempt to understand and mitigate His power within their own theological framework. Plains, by contrast, were ideal for massed infantry, cavalry, and especially chariots, allowing for sweeping maneuvers and the full deployment of large armies, which the Syrians possessed in abundance. This cultural understanding of deities and military strategy heavily influenced their advice.
* **Key Themes:** [1 Kings 20:25](/1_kings/20-25 "1 Kings 20:25 - Syrian Strategy for Second Battle") powerfully contributes to several key themes. Firstly, it highlights **Human Arrogance and Miscalculation**, as the Syrian advisors, and Ben-hadad himself, demonstrate profound hubris by refusing to acknowledge divine intervention in their previous defeat. Instead, they attribute it to a geographical technicality, believing they can outwit or circumvent God's power through a change in battleground. Secondly, the verse sets the stage for the demonstration of the **Omnipresence and Sovereignty of God**. Their limited theological view of God as confined to specific terrains ("God of the hills") is a central misunderstanding that God will decisively refute, proving His absolute authority over all creation, regardless of location. Finally, Ben-hadad's immediate agreement to this flawed counsel underscores his **Persistence in Rebellion** against God, choosing to rely on human logic and military might rather than recognizing the hand of the Lord in his circumstances, a theme that recurs throughout the book of [1 Kings](/1_kings/1 "1 Kings - The Book of Kings").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Plain (Hebrew, _mishor'_):** The Hebrew word מִישׁוֹר (_mishor_) denotes a level, flat, or even ground, often contrasting with mountainous or hilly regions. Its use here is critical, as it directly reflects the Syrian advisors' flawed theological premise that Israel's God was limited to the "hills." They believed that by moving the battle to the _mishor_, they would negate any perceived advantage Israel's God provided, allowing their superior numbers and chariots to prevail.
* **Army (Hebrew, _ḥayil'_):** The word חַיִל (_ḥayil_) is a broad term meaning "strength," "wealth," "valor," or "army/force." In this context, it emphasizes the military might and resources that Ben-hadad was advised to reassemble. The phrase "like the army that thou hast lost" underscores the Syrians' determination to restore their formidable military power, believing that sheer numerical and material superiority would guarantee victory, especially on favorable terrain.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And number thee an army, like the army that thou hast lost, horse for horse, and chariot for chariot":** The advisors' first counsel is to rebuild the military to its exact previous strength, specifically focusing on the most potent elements of ancient warfare: horses (cavalry) and chariots. This meticulous instruction reveals their confidence in the *material* aspects of warfare and their belief that their previous loss was not due to a fundamental weakness in their military, but rather an environmental disadvantage. It underscores their determination to rely on human might.
* **"and we will fight against them in the plain, [and] surely we shall be stronger than they":** This clause reveals the strategic rationale behind the rebuild. The "plain" (מִישׁוֹר, _mishor_) is chosen as the ideal battleground for their chariots and large army. The advisors' confident assertion, "surely we shall be stronger than they," is rooted in their miscalculation of God's power and their overestimation of their own human capabilities. It's a declaration of human hubris, believing that a change in location will negate divine intervention.
* **"And he hearkened unto their voice, and did so":** This final phrase highlights Ben-hadad's immediate and uncritical acceptance of his advisors' counsel. It demonstrates his stubborn refusal to acknowledge God's hand in his previous defeat, choosing instead to trust in human wisdom and military strategy. His swift obedience to this flawed advice sets the stage for God's further demonstration of His universal sovereignty.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs **Irony**, as the very strategy intended to secure victory (fighting on the plain where they "surely shall be stronger") becomes the setting for an even more decisive defeat, proving the Syrians' theological and military miscalculation. There is clear **Foreshadowing** of God's subsequent intervention, as the Syrians' limited view of God as a "God of the hills" sets up the divine declaration in [1 Kings 20:28](/1_kings/20-28 "1 Kings 20:28 - God's Declaration of Sovereignty") that He is indeed God of both the hills and the plains. This also creates a powerful **Contrast** between human wisdom and divine omnipotence; the Syrians' sophisticated military strategy, based on a faulty understanding of God, stands in stark opposition to the Lord's boundless power and sovereignty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is a profound theological statement, albeit one made by the enemies of God. It encapsulates the human tendency to limit God, to confine His power to specific circumstances, places, or methods, rather than acknowledging His absolute sovereignty over all creation. The Syrian advisors' reasoning is a classic example of human pride attempting to rationalize divine action through worldly lenses, believing that a change in physical environment can circumvent spiritual realities. This sets the stage for God to emphatically demonstrate that His power is not geographically bound or limited by human strategy, but extends universally, challenging any notion that He is merely a tribal deity or a "god of the hills."

* [Psalm 115:3](/psalms/115-3 "Psalm 115:3 - Our God is in the heavens")
* [Isaiah 40:28](/isaiah/40-28 "Isaiah 40:28 - The Everlasting God")
* [Jeremiah 23:23-24](/jeremiah/23-23-24 "Jeremiah 23:23-24 - God's Omnipresence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of Ben-hadad and his advisors serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of human arrogance and a limited understanding of God. We, like the Syrians, can be prone to rationalizing away God's hand in our lives, attributing outcomes to chance, circumstance, or our own cleverness, rather than acknowledging His sovereign control. This passage calls us to examine our own perspectives: Do we limit God to certain areas of our lives—perhaps only in times of crisis, or only in "spiritual" matters, but not in our finances, careers, or relationships? Do we devise our own strategies, convinced of our strength, without seeking or submitting to divine wisdom? True wisdom and strength come from recognizing that God is not confined by our limitations, our plans, or our perceived "plains" or "hills." He is omnipresent, omnipotent, and sovereign over every aspect of existence. Our call is to humble ourselves, acknowledge His boundless power, and trust in His guidance, knowing that His ways are infinitely higher than our own.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be subtly limiting God's power or influence?**
* **How does the Syrian advisors' reasoning about a "God of the hills" parallel modern attempts to explain away divine intervention?**
* **What specific "plains" (areas of perceived strength or control) do you rely on instead of fully trusting God?**
* **How can acknowledging God's omnipresence and sovereignty change your approach to challenges and decision-making?**

### FAQ
**Why did Ben-hadad so readily accept his advisors' flawed counsel?**

Answer: Ben-hadad's ready acceptance of the flawed counsel stemmed from a combination of factors common to proud rulers of the ancient world. Firstly, he was likely desperate to restore his honor and military prestige after a humiliating defeat, and the advisors' plan offered a clear, logical, and actionable path forward that avoided the uncomfortable truth of divine intervention. Secondly, his worldview, typical of polytheistic cultures, made the idea of a geographically limited deity plausible; it provided a convenient rationalization for his loss without having to acknowledge the overwhelming power of Israel's God. Thirdly, the plan appealed to his reliance on conventional military might, promising victory through superior numbers and strategic terrain, which aligned with his prior experience and understanding of warfare. His pride prevented him from seeing beyond human logic to the spiritual reality of God's absolute sovereignty, as later demonstrated in [1 Kings 20:28](/1_kings/20-28 "1 Kings 20:28 - God's Declaration of Sovereignty").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Syrian advisors' attempt to confine God to the "hills" and outmaneuver Him on the "plain" profoundly foreshadows humanity's persistent efforts to limit God and control destiny apart from Him. Yet, the New Testament reveals that God's sovereignty is fully embodied in Jesus Christ, who is not bound by any earthly limitation, geographical constraint, or human strategy. Just as God demonstrated His power on both hills and plains in [1 Kings 20](/1_kings/20 "1 Kings 20 - Ahab and Ben-hadad"), Christ's authority extends over all creation—He calmed storms on the sea ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")), taught on mountains ([Matthew 5:1](/matthew/5-1 "Matthew 5:1 - Sermon on the Mount")), and healed in every village and city ([Matthew 9:35](/matthew/9-35 "Matthew 9:35 - Jesus Heals and Teaches")). His victory on the cross, though appearing as a defeat to human eyes, was the ultimate triumph over sin and death, demonstrating God's power in the most unexpected "plain" of human weakness ([1 Corinthians 1:25](/1_corinthians/1-25 "1 Corinthians 1:25 - God's Foolishness is Wiser")). Through Christ, we learn that God's power is not contingent on our circumstances or strategies, but is absolute and all-encompassing, ensuring His ultimate victory in every "plain" and "hill" of our lives and throughout eternity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 10:3

For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, [whom] the LORD abhorreth.